Watson Knipe Blog

As the financial year draws to a close, it’s a good time for self-employed businesses to take stock and position themselves strongly for the year ahead. A planned approach at this stage could create a meaningful difference to both your tax position and your overall financial understanding.

From 1 May 2026, the Renters' Rights Act 2025 will come into force, introducing a fundamental change in how residential tenancies operate in England. For landlords, this is not simply a compliance exercise. It denotes a transition to a more regulated, process-driven operating environment.

We offer accountancy services to businesses of all sizes, which include support with statutory accounts. If you are a private limited company, as part of financial governance and compliance, you must prepare statutory accounts.

The Spring Statement 2026, delivered by Rachel Reeves, focused on economic stability, steady growth and restoring confidence across the UK economy.  While the Statement did not introduce major new tax measures, it set the financial and policy direction that directly affects business planning, property investment decisions and landlord strategy over the coming years.

The latest data from Zoopla, published in February 2026, shows a steady housing market. House price growth remains modest, supply levels are rising, and affordability dynamics are shifting.

Understanding whether and when to register for VAT is an important milestone for any growing UK business. While some companies are legally required to register, many others choose to do so voluntarily because of the financial and operational advantages it can bring.

More people than ever are earning extra income on top of their main employment. For some, it is a way to boost household finances. For others, it is a creative outlet that has started to generate money. Whatever the motivation, it’s important to understand when that extra income needs to be declared and what tax rules apply.

The Warm Homes Plan is the government’s long-term strategy to improve the energy efficiency and quality of housing across the UK, with a strong focus on the private rented sector. It sits alongside reforms to Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards and the Decent Homes Standard, embedding higher performance expectations into law.

For most businesses, landlords and property investors, strong financial control starts with good diary management. While tax and reporting obligations are familiar territory, missed deadlines still carry unnecessary cost, disruption and risk. Looking ahead to 2026, there are several key dates that business owners, finance teams and directors should have firmly on their radar.

This article provides a concise overview of the Autumn Budget 2025 changes affecting capital taxes, highlighting a clear shift towards tightening reliefs while maintaining stability in core thresholds. It covers key updates to Capital Gains Tax, including changes to reliefs for business owners and employee ownership structures, alongside reforms to carried interest and incorporation relief.

Here we summarise the Autumn Budget 2025 measures affecting UK businesses, setting out a broadly stable Corporation Tax landscape alongside targeted reforms designed to support investment and growth. It covers the confirmation of Corporation Tax rates, changes to capital allowances and writing down allowances, and the introduction of new first-year reliefs to encourage capital expenditure.

This article outlines the key Autumn Budget 2025 measures that employers need to be aware of, focusing on employment taxes, pay obligations, and workforce benefits. It covers National Insurance contribution rates and thresholds, the continuation of employer reliefs, increases to the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage, and changes to the taxation of company cars and vans.

This article summarises the Autumn Budget 2025 measures affecting personal tax, with a continued emphasis on frozen thresholds alongside targeted rate changes that will gradually increase the tax burden for many individuals. It outlines the ongoing freeze to Income Tax and National Insurance bands, updates to allowances, and changes to the taxation of savings, dividends, and property income from 2026 and 2027 onwards.

We have many years of experience working with landlords and property investors. We have developed the skills and knowledge needed to increase their portfolios. To support our clients further, we work in partnership with trusted advisors and have created the Property Hub, a one-stop shop offering advice to existing and potential property businesses in the East Midlands and nationwide.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves set out tax-raising measures worth up to £26 billion in the Autumn Budget on 26 November 2025. The increases will be achieved through a range of measures, including extending the freeze on Income Tax thresholds for a further three years.

For many self-employed businesses and landlords, the run-up to Christmas is already a demanding period. Client deadlines, project completion, tenant management, and year-end operational pressures all compete for time and attention. Adding a last-minute tax return into the mix often creates unnecessary strain. Submitting your tax return early is a simple step that brings structure, reduces risk and supports more confident financial planning.

For landlords and property investors, the structure of your property ownership can significantly impact tax, liability, and long-term returns. Increasingly, investors are opting to purchase and manage property through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), a limited liability company established specifically for holding property assets.

We work with many clients who live or work abroad but still have tax obligations in the UK. The rules can be complex, and it’s easy to miss key details, especially when your home, work and family life span more than one country.

Our Expatriate Taxation Service helps clients navigate these rules, stay compliant, and plan effectively for their future.

As we head towards the end of the year, many small business owners start to think about their tax return. This can result in a significant amount of paperwork and pressure as they try to gather everything together to submit to their accountant.

We wanted to write this article to help you reduce stress and improve your bottom line by considering a year-round tax planning approach.

From April 2026, HMRC will start rolling out Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax. Landlords with income above £50,000 will be required to keep digital records and file quarterly updates, with those earning over £30,000 joining in 2027. This shift is mandatory, so it makes sense to prepare early.

In March 2025, the Chancellor unveiled proposals that shift the burden of administering the High-Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC). For many households, these changes will simplify the route to compliance, but they also bring new choices and risks. HMRC’s online service for paying the high-income child benefit charge went live in September 2025.